Mark Pare conquers Mt Washington

At the start! You can see the top. That is a long ways up.

One of the toughest climbs in the United States and Mark did it in 1 hour 32 minutes. Not only did he do the climb fast but he also raised money for Adventures For the Cure. He has raised over 450 dollars! Awesome job Mark!

Here is a write up from Mark:

The ride itself was very tough for the first three miles. I expected it to level off or the grade to lessen, but the first three miles seemed to get more and more steep with the highest grade being in mile 3. An old vet told me at the bottom that the race starts at 4.5 and he was right. Many people had front chain rings the size of a small peanut butter jars. The highest I could go was 30x27, and I left it twice the whole time. There is a 1.5 mile section that is not paved and the paved road is scarred by road clearing cats, so you have to search for clear pavement constantly. Once you get above the tree line, the dirt road kicks in, and climbing on that is challenging. There was one steep section there where my rear wheel was slipping, but it worked out. At about mile 6, a switchback nails you with a very steep section that just stopped many folks. There is no flat or downward section in the 7.6 mile course. At the end, the road kicks up to 22% for about 50 -75 yards to the finish. All-in-all a great race and a tough one. I do not have anything to compare it with, but it is billed as the "World's Toughest Hillclimb" and maybe that is true.

Mark very close to top

another picture near finish line. Look how steep that is.

Mark with his Dad at the top

Awesome job Mark!!

AFC